scientific and graphing calculators

There are scientific and graphing calculators that can be used by blind students?

Calculators have become widely used at all levels of schooling. Calculators capable of carrying out statistics or scientific calculations, alter matrices and plot functions on graphs are particularly beneficial in studying complicated mathematics. Although the majority scientific and graphing calculators aren't accessible to those who don't have the ability to see, there are options available which allow those that are visually impaired to use these calculators successfully.

There are a variety of talking Scientific calculators are available on the market, however each calculator is not able to function to the exact specifications required at all levels. Therefore, an assessment of features that are required from the student is required to be completed to ensure that the most appropriate calculator for the student is selected. Susan Osterhaus at the Texas School for the Blind has put together a comprehensive overview on the features of various speaking scientific calculators that could assist with the process of selecting. This calculator Orion TI-30XS MultiView Interactive Scientific Calculator can be highly respected and highly respected as a talking scientific calculator that may meet the needs of a variety of students.

Another alternative is the electronic notetaker portable that comes with the latest math features. Some notetakers include speech synthesis with Braille that refreshes and can be used by those who are blind for trigonometric or logarithmic calculations. Check with the notetaker manufacturer to determine whether there is an scientific calculator function could be used.

There are also programs available that provides speech access to the scientific calculator application. Some of these simulate the conventional calculator interface and some also offer an audio interface to the graphs. For instance, it is the Audio Graphing Calculator (AGC) is an example of an accessible Microsoft-based application it features graphing calculators that are capable of showing graphs audio as well as visually as a sonified tone graph.

For more information about access to information on access to scientific and graphing calculators see the accessibility resource accessible Calculators at the GeorgiaTech Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access (CATEA).

To learn more about accessible math, refer to these Knowledge Base articles What are some ways to make Braille maths tools? and why is accessibility to math important?